The Irish standard., 1887-08-27

and the Catholic centers Of Europe.
From it's first humble inception within
but few years an association which
was originally designed simply to COM
bat and overthrow the dangerous prin-
ciples and still more dangerous political
intrigues set on foot by the group OF
anarchists and nihilists in Paris COM
mended itself not only to the favorable
recognition of the Holy See itself, but
won the warmest cooperation Of the
Sacred College Of the Propaganda III
extending it's usefulness throughout the
world. a new and more universal sys~
tenn of administration was adopted, the
organization then taking for it's titl1lar
saint the name of the great apostle Of
charity, St. Vincent de Paul. Although
the ministrations and benefactions Of
this noble charity are not restricted by
creed, color or nationality, only Catho-
lies can become members Of the society.
Its government is as perfect SIS that Of
the Holy See ITSELF with which itmight
perhaps justly be said TO be thoroughly
co-extensive. There is, indeed, no sys-
TEN Of charity ever established OF de-
visad for the relief Of the suffering and
deserving poor, but would derive very
material advantages by the adoption OF
some of the practical methods upon
which the benevolent operations of this
society are based. Meetings are held
once a week by the conferences Of each
parish in which a branch of the society
exists. On the first FRIDAY of every
month the president, vice president
and officers Of conferences constituting
the Particular Council, having super
vision of all the conferences within
their district, meet to consider and take
any necessary 0r special action in con-
necticn with the monthly reports of the
conferences. The Particular Councils
in the United States are subject to the
Superior Council, whose headquarters
are in New York, and all the societies
are subject tie the Superior General Of B,
the Order in Paris, where the society
had its origin.
The Holy Father has appointed one
of the Cardinals to act as Counsellor OH
behalf of the society in the Sacred Col
lege of The Propaganda in Rome, which
alone is a proof Of the extent and i'm
portance OF the charitable work Of this
marvellous organization and the dignity
with which its mission and Iabors are
regarded by the Holy See. Some idea
Of the practical and humanitarian re-
lief extended by this admirable OIgani--
cation IN the aggregate may be derived
from p reference to the annual report
Of it's ministrations IN our own midst.
There are no less than nl1!eteen confer
ences in active operation in the city Of
Chicago alone. They are affiliated with
the various Catholic churches Of the
several parishes, and it is almost need
less to say that to the constant and un-
failing success of their endeayors to
lesson the hardships aud sufferings of
the poor may III no small measure be
attributed the sympathy and material
support afforded in all cases OF enler-
gancy by the priests attached to the
various parishes in which the confer
ences are located. They include the
churches Of the Holy Family, ST. Pat
rick's, st. Stephens, st. Columbkill's,
St. James, ST. Bridget, St. Mary, Sacred
II cart. st. Johns, All Saints, The An
ST. Gabriel>s, Holy Name,
St. Malachi's. ST. Rose, of Lima, St.
Procopias (Bohenian), St. Philip, No.
tre Dame and St Elizabeth. There are
nearly six hundred active members i'll
the several conferences. The resources
Of the society are mainly derived from
the contributions of the charitable
members Of the order, but the priests OF
the various churches in which the con-
ferences are located from time to time
permit collections to be made in aid of
The funds of the society, and these col
ections are also occasionally supple
mented by the proceeds Of lectures and
other entertainments given annually in
the halls attached to the schools or
churches Of the district. From these
various sources the society was enabled
70 expend last year nearly $4,000 in re-
ieying the wants of the poor, including
provisions, clothing, fuel and the care
of the sick and burial of the dead Dur
ng the period Of it's benevolent activity
n this city, dating back some twenty
years, the records Of the society chow
that more than $780, 1000 has been con-
5ributed and expended by the Society in
the 1ndigent and succoring
he distressed Of all creeds and condi-
ions. The present Particular Council
If chicago includes Hon. D. Scully.
PRESIDENT; r. G. Cannon and J. G. Hid.
eth, presidents; John Adams. Sec
:etary; John FL. McMu1lin, vice.secre-
;ary; Joseph Kenny. treasurer, and
Father Thomas Galhgan, spiritual di-
.ctor There are four Superior Coun-
Ills of the Society of ST.. Vincent de
Paul in the United States, located sew
,rally in New York. BROOKLYN. New